IIRC, Yot-chan said a couple of times that the TV series ending was Yoshino's idea and not Kawamori's idea. While there was no outspoken resolution (due to Alto's fail self-awareness), wasn't Yoshino the one who said episode 24 scene was about Alto's feelings for Sheryl?
If we take the TV series as his vision... the balance tips at one side.
I have to wonder what kind of ending did Kawamori want: